Podcasts

YR via RSS

For Educators
Teach Youth Radio
Curriculum

Youth Programs
CORE
Outreach

American Dream

"My brother Jorge is talking about leaving this country."

Listen to this Commentary!

By Gabriela Jacobo

My family and friends in Mexico see me as an American now, even though I was born in Acambaro and spent the first five years of my life in Mexico. But somehow my heart feels more there than here right now. When I watch the news, I don’t want to be a part of what America is doing in the world. It seems like we’re starting wars everywhere. Yet my father is applying for U.S. citizenship, with no second thoughts.

DAD: I would never feel ashamed because I have faith in this country that practically adopted me…

My dad made many sacrifices to move his family to the United States. He says he feels like he owes this country, and must be loyal to it. But, he doesn’t want to be seen as an immigrant anymore.

When I think back to why my family came to America in the first place, I wonder whether dangerous times like these were really part of the dream or not. When he watches the news, I know he’s upset. There’s a definite change in his face.

DAD: But what can I change? I can’t do anything to change the ideas or thoughts of the people who control the government. I have faith that in the end we will all want peace, and everything we do will be because we want peace, and we will all live a little better.

“What can I change?” he says, when I ask him about the conflicts the government is involved in. Then he tells me he has complete faith. I know he would never talk bad about America.

It’s ironic. While my father is filling out an application for U.S. citizenship, my 23-year-old brother Jorge is talking about leaving this country to create a better life in the place where my father found no opportunities. He doesn’t want another Afghanistan or Iraq to happen in his name as an American.

When Jorge first told me of his plans to move back to Mexico, I felt like I had one last chance to tell him everything I’ve always wanted to tell him. It’s like being told you’re dying, so you start thinking of everything you need to do before it happens.

But, I decided not to try and change my brother’s mind. It seems like I can’t convince him now. My dad’s given up too.

DAD: When you’re an adult you make your own decisions, if he ends up leaving it’s something he will deal with I makes me feel sad, but I think that if he leaves it will only be a short amount of time before he comes back, because there wont be any jobs out there.

My dad says Jorge can make his own decisions, but he believes he’ll be back because Mexico has its own problems.

My dad says he’d never go back to Mexico, not even to die.

It’s upsetting for me to see how world events are causing a separation inside my own family. When my brother goes back to Mexico, part of me will go with him.